The information that is provided is the latest recommendations for Caterpillar engines. This information supersedes all previous recommendations which have been published for the Caterpillar engines that are covered by this publication. Special lubricants are required for some applications and it will be necessary to continue to use these special products.
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These recommendations are subject to change without notice. Contact your local Caterpillar dealer for the most up to date fluids recommendations. |
ECF-1 Specification Diesel Engine Oils
The Engine Crankcase Fluid - 1 (ECF-1) specification has been introduced by Caterpillar in order to provide additional performance to the oils that are marketed under the American Petroleum Institute (API) oil classifications. The ECF-1 specification is applicable to those products that meet the requirements of the specification.
| Diesel Engine Oil
Specifications and/or Classifications |
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| Specification and/or Classification | Precombustion Chamber | Direct Injection(1) |
| Cat ECF-1(2) | Recommended | Recommended |
| CG-4(3) | Acceptable at a Reduced Drain Interval | Acceptable at a Reduced Drain Interval |
| CF-4(4), CF-2(5) | Unacceptable | Unacceptable |
| CF(6) | Acceptable | Unacceptable |
| CE, CD, CC, and CD-2(7) | Obsolete | Obsolete |
| (1) | Most Caterpillar engines that were built after 1991 are direct injection (DI) diesel engines. Diesel engine oils that only have a single viscosity grade are not acceptable for use in Caterpillar DI diesel engines. Multigrade diesel engine oils are required. |
| (2) | API CI-4, CI-4 PLUS, and CH-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of the Caterpillar ECF-1 specification are met. CI-4, CI-4 PLUS, and CH-4 oils that have not met the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 specification may cause reduced engine life. |
| (3) | API CG-4 oils are acceptable for all Caterpillar diesel engines. When API CG-4 oils are used, the oil drain interval should not exceed the standard oil drain interval for your engine. |
| (4) | API CF-4 oils are not recommended for Caterpillar diesel engines. |
| (5) | API CF-2 and CD-2 oils are classifications for two-cycle diesel engines. Caterpillar does not sell engines that use API CF-2 and CD-2 oils. |
| (6) | API CF oils are not recommended for Caterpillar direct injection (DI) diesel engines. |
| (7) | API has not authorized the CC, CD, CD-2, and CE classifications since 1 January 1996. |
Note: When oil meets more than one API classification, the applicable footnote is determined by the highest API classification that is met.
Example - An oil that meets both the API CG-4 and the API CF oil classifications. In this case, the API CG-4 footnote applies.
Caterpillar oils have been developed and tested in order to provide the full performance and service life that has been designed and built into Caterpillar Engines. Cat DEO exceeds the requirements of the ECF-1 specification by passing four additional proprietary tests of diesel engine oil. Caterpillar oils are currently used to fill diesel engines at the factory. These oils are offered by Caterpillar dealers for continued use when the engine oil is changed. Consult your Caterpillar dealer for more information on these oils.
Due to significant variations in the quality and in the performance of commercially available oils, Caterpillar makes the following recommendations:
- Cat DEO (Diesel Engine Oil) (10W-30)
- Cat DEO (Diesel Engine Oil) (15W-40)
Cat DEO multigrade is available in various viscosity grades that include SAE 10W-30 and SAE 15W-40. To choose the correct viscosity grade for the ambient temperature, see Table 2. Multigrade oils provide the correct viscosity for a broad range of operating temperatures.
Consult your Caterpillar dealer for part numbers and for available sizes of containers.
Note: If Caterpillar DEO multigrade is not used, use only commercial oils that meet the following classifications.
- Only commercial oils that meet the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 specification are acceptable for use in Caterpillar diesel engines. API CH-4, CI-4, and CI-4 PLUS oils that have not met the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 Specification may cause reduced engine life.
- API CG-4 multigrade oils are acceptable for all Caterpillar diesel engines. When the API CG-4 oils are used, the oil drain interval should not exceed the standard oil drain interval for your engine.
Note: Do not use API CF-4 oils in Caterpillar diesel engines.
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In selecting oil for any engine application, both the oil viscosity and oil performance classification/specification as specified by the engine manufacturer must be defined and satisfied. Using only one of these parameters will not sufficiently define oil for an engine application. |
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Failure to follow these oil recommendations can cause shortened engine service life due to deposits and/or excessive wear. |
Note: Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6251, "Caterpillar Commercial Diesel Engine Fluids Recommendations" for additional information that relates to lubrication for your engine.
Lubricant Viscosity Recommendations
The proper SAE viscosity grade of oil is determined by the minimum ambient temperature during cold engine start-up, and the maximum ambient temperature during engine operation.
Refer to Table 2 (minimum temperature) in order to determine the required oil viscosity for starting a cold engine.
Refer to Table 2 (maximum temperature) in order to select the oil viscosity for engine operation at the highest ambient temperature that is anticipated.
Note: Generally, use the highest oil viscosity that is available to meet the requirement for the temperature at start-up.
If ambient temperature conditions at engine start-up require the use of multigrade SAE 0W oil, SAE 0W-40 viscosity grade is preferred over SAE 0W-20 or SAE 0W-30.
| Engine Oil Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures | ||
| Ambient Temperature | ||
| Viscosity Grade | Minimum | Maximum |
| SAE 0W-20 | |
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| SAE 0W-30 | |
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| SAE 0W-40 | |
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| SAE 5W-30 | |
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| SAE 5W-40 | |
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| SAE 10W-30 | |
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| SAE 10W-40 | |
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| SAE 15W-40 | |
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Note: Supplemental heat is recommended below the minimum recommended ambient temperature.
Caterpillar has developed a tool for maintenance management that evaluates oil degradation and the tool also detects the early signs of wear on internal components. The Caterpillar tool for oil analysis is called S·O·S Oil Analysis and the tool is part of the S·O·S Services program. S·O·S Oil Analysis divides oil analysis into three categories:
- Wear Analysis
- Oil condition
- Additional tests
Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6251, "Caterpillar Commercial Diesel Engine Fluids Recommendations" or contact your local Caterpillar dealer for additional information concerning the S·O·S Oil Analysis program.
The refill capacities for the engine crankcase reflect the approximate capacity of the crankcase or sump plus standard oil filters. Auxiliary oil filter systems will require additional oil. Refer to the OEM specifications for the capacity of the auxiliary oil filter.
| Approximate Refill Capacities | ||
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| Compartment or System | 3408C | 3412C |
| Crankcase Oil Sump (Standard)(1) | |
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| (1) | These values are the approximate capacities for the crankcase oil sump which include the standard oil filters that are installed at the factory. Engines with auxiliary oil filters will require additional oil. Refer to the specifications for the capacity of the auxiliary oil filter. |
Diesel engines have the ability to burn a wide variety of fuels. These fuels are divided into two general groups. The two groups are called the preferred fuels and the permissible fuels.
The preferred fuels provide maximum engine service life and performance. The preferred fuels are distillate fuels. These fuels are commonly called diesel fuel, furnace fuel, gas oil, or kerosene.
The permissible fuels are crude oils or blended fuels. Use of these fuels can result in higher maintenance costs and in reduced engine service life.
In North America, diesel fuel that is identified as No. 1-D or No. 2-D in "ASTM D975" generally meet the specifications. Diesel fuels from other sources could exhibit detrimental properties that are not defined or controlled by this specification.
Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6251, "Caterpillar Commercial Diesel Engine Fluids Recommendations" for additional information that relates to diesel fuel.
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Do not use a commercial coolant/antifreeze that only meets the ASTM "D3306" specification. This type of coolant/antifreeze is made for light duty automotive applications. Use only the coolant/antifreeze that is recommended. |
The following coolants are the primary types of coolants that are used in Caterpillar Engines:
Preferred - Cat ELC (Extended Life Coolant) or a commercial extended life coolant that meets the Caterpillar EC-1 specification
Acceptable - Cat DEAC (Diesel Engine Antifreeze/Coolant) or a commercial heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze that meets "ASTM D4985" or "ASTM D5345" specifications
Caterpillar recommends a 1:1 mixture of water and glycol. This mixture will provide optimum heavy-duty performance as a coolant/antifreeze.
Note: Caterpillar DEAC DOES NOT require a treatment with an SCA at the initial fill. Commercial heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze that meets "ASTM D4985" or "ASTM D5345" specifications MAY require a treatment with an SCA at the initial fill. Read the label or the instructions that are provided by the OEM of the product.
In stationary engine applications and marine engine applications that do not require protection from boiling or freezing, a mixture of SCA and water is acceptable. Caterpillar recommends a minimum of six percent to a maximum of eight percent SCA concentration in those cooling systems. Distilled water or deionized water is preferred. Water which has the required properties may be used. For the water properties, refer to Table 4:
| Caterpillar Minimum Acceptable Water Requirements | ||||
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| Property | Maximum Limit | ASTM Test | ||
| Chloride (Cl) | |
"D512", "D4327" | ||
| Sulfate (SO4) | |
"D516" | ||
| Total Hardness | |
"D1126" | ||
| Total Solids | |
"D1888" | ||
| Acidity | pH of 5.5 to 9.0 | "D1293" | ||
Note: The service life of coolant is limited by use of service hours. Refer to the specific engine's Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Maintenance Interval Schedule" (Maintenance Section). To achieve this service life, the coolants must be properly maintained. The maintenance program includes S·O·S coolant analysis.
| Coolant Service Life | |
| Coolant Type | Service Life (1) |
| Caterpillar ELC | Six Years |
| Caterpillar DEAC | Three Years |
| Commercial Heavy-Duty Coolant/Antifreeze that meets "ASTM D5345" | Two Years |
| Commercial Heavy-Duty Coolant/Antifreeze that meets "ASTM D4985" | One Year |
| Caterpillar SCA and Water | Two Years |
| Commercial SCA and Water | One Year |
| (1) | The service life of coolant is also limited by use (service hours). Refer to the specific engine's Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Maintenance Interval Schedule" (Maintenance Section). |
For additional coolant information, refer to Special Publication, SEBU6251, "Caterpillar Commercial Diesel Engine Fluids Recommendations".
To maintain the cooling system, the total cooling system capacity must be known. The approximate capacity for the engine cooling system is listed. External system capacities will vary among applications. Refer to the OEM specifications for the external system capacity. This capacity information will be needed in order to determine the amount of coolant/antifreeze that is required for the total cooling system.
| Approximate Refill Capacities | ||
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| Compartment or System | 3408C | 3412C |
| Engine Only | |
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| Engine and Radiator | |
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| External System(1) | ||
| Total Cooling System(2) | ||
| (1) | The external system includes a radiator or an expansion tank with the following components: heat exchanger, aftercooler and piping. Refer to the Caterpillar specification, or refer to the specification for the cooling system capacity information. Enter the information in this row. |
| (2) | The total cooling system includes the capacity for the engine cooling system plus the capacity for the external system. Enter the total in this row. |